Construction work of the northern Expressway starting from Enderamulla in the Gampaha district and ending in Dambulla will start early 2014.

Phase one of this expressway consists of four stages. Stage one includes 53 kms from Enderamulla to Ambepussa via Mirigama, stage two includes 39 kms from Mirigama to Pellendeniya (Kurunegala), stage three includes 46 kms from Ambepussa to Kandy and stage four includes 62 kms from Pellendeniya to Dambulla. The project to be handled by the Chinese on a Build-Operate-and-Transfer basis also includes a separate expressway extending from the Ambepussa interchange to Kandy.

The first phase of the project — from Enderamulla to Ambepussa — is expected to cost US$ 1 billion (Rs. 130 billion) and would be completed with Chinese assistance. The proposed Enderamulla-Ambepussa stretch of the expressway will be constructed in most part parallel to the railway line, paddy, marshy and uncultivated areas. Only a few populated areas would be affected by the project.

The second phase of the project envisages the extension of the expressway upto Pallendeniya in Kurunegala. It will pass through Boyawalane, Pothupitiya, Dampalassa, Ganegoda and Dehikumbura before ending in PelleSndeniya, about five kilometres from the Kurunegala town.The second phase will cover a distance of 39 km with three interchanges at Pothupitiya, Dampalassa and Pallendeniya. There will be 30 overpasses and five underpasses.

The third phase of the project will be the construction of the 45.7 km motorway from Ambepussa to Kandy. This road will have interchanges at Rambukkana and Hedeniya and will pass through Devalegama, Pinnawala, Rambukkana, Hatharaliyadda, Hedeniya. A significant feature of his expressway is the construction of a one km long tunnel.

In addition, a 12 km ring road will be constructed between Gannoruwa and Katugastota to reduce traffic congestion in the Kandy city.

The final stage of the project will take the expressway from Pallendeniya to Dambulla covering a distance of 62 km. There will be three interchanges at Pellandeniya, Galewela and Dambulla.

This stretch of the expressway will pass through Wallawa, Gokarella, Melsiripura, Omaragolla and Galewela, before reaching Dambulla.